In preparing for a ton of Fun in the Sun this summer, it never occurred to me to buy my son a pair of sunglasses! (I know, I know…#momfail!) Luckily, Real Kids Shades came to the rescue and sent me a couple of pairs to try out (in exchange for this review, of course.) They’re also sponsoring a giveaway here beginning June 19th! THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Real Kids Shades are top of the line in children’s eye wear, made exclusively for infants to 12-year-olds! All of their products have been strenuously tested to insure that they provide the best protection for your little one’s precious sight. They offer 100% UVA/UVB Protection, and the lenses are shatterproof and impact-resistant. The frames are secured on an adjustable wrap-around neoprene band to fit snugly around your child’s head, while protecting the eyes from peripheral light. (And the neoprene band allows them to float in the water…awesome!) They are also lead-free, BPA-free and contain no phthalates.

Little Man chose the Xtreme Element Shades to try out on our late afternoon walk. The pair we received are made for older children (3-7 years), so he can grow into them, but they’re way too big right now. That didn’t seem to bother him one bit, though! The Xtreme Elements line is also available for infants and toddlers (0-36 months), and comes with foam padding behind the frames for extra comfort.

The My First Shades Toddler Shades were a much better fit on him. Designed for children 2-5 years old, they were more snug around his head. He wore them the whole time on the car ride to the park, but once we got there, he was distracted by playing in the sand, and the shades stayed mostly around his neck. I’m sure they will take a little bit of getting used to when he’s on the go. The My First Shades line also comes in infant sizes (0-24 months).

I am confident that these sunglasses will last us quite a while, and provide much needed eye protection year round. As adults, we think of sunglasses as accessories, but they really are necessary gear for everyone, everyday!

“UV rays can damage your child’s eyes anytime of the year. While the harmful effects are three times greater in the summer than winter, there’s still a high risk of sustaining serious eye damage in winter months. UV rays can also do a lot of damage on overcast and cloudy days.”
~ From Protecting Your Child’s Eyes From the Sun: What Every Mom Should Know

{Real Kids Shades provided me with two free pairs of sunglasses in exchange for a review and giveaway. All opinions are 100% my own. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.}